Transcript of Psych Ward Guard #3 (Erasure Poem in Which I Am the White Space)

What? Who are you talking about? The doctor? He’s awful. The meanest. How much do you weigh? I could bench you, wouldn’t even break a sweat. The only difference between me and you is I’m wearing this badge. I’ve got my problems, just like you, believe me. And sure, you’ve got yours. Once in a while I’ve lost my temper, I’ve been wrong, I’ve said some hurtful things. The only difference is you got to your breaking point but that doesn’t make you crazy, we all have a breaking point. Do you wanna be here another week or do you want to go home? Well then, if I was you, I’d mind my p’s and q’s. Watch your mouth. We all just have to get along. This virus is bringing out the worst in people. Not everything has to be political. We all have a right to our own opinion but you have no right to judge me for mine or shove yours down my throat. Yeah, there’s things I don’t like about him. But we need to respect that he’s still our president. How could you blame all of this on just one guy? I’ll tell you what, our economy has never been better. He speaks his mind. He says it like it is. It’s like all you people want to do is argue. Where’s the civility, man? We need order. We need authority. It’s insane, if you think we can survive without police, you’re insane. But nowadays I can walk outside and get shot just for being white. It’s the truth. That’s it. Why are you mad? What, you think I like putting my hands on people? You think I take pleasure in wrestling with an old man? I hate it. I’m just doing my job. Sometimes you have to just throw up your hands and say, well there’s nothing I can do. Let God take the wheel. We are his lambs. There’s some real shitheads that come through here. I shouldn’t curse. I like your group, though. You guys aren’t crazy like those mothertruckers. Well, then there’s Jeff. Jeff is crazy. Hey, Jeff! Hello-o! See? Nothing going on in there. You guys are completely sane. Jeff’s like talking to the brick wall. This is a good group. So you’re finally out of here, huh? Well we need to have a little chat first. You’re not in trouble, I just want to talk. I’m looking at your discharge survey. I offended you? I was joking. I thought you were smart enough to realize that. I know better now. When these people leave, politics are out there. There’s no “power dynamic” here. Why are you scared? What? Speak up. I don’t bite. Listen. That’s the reality, in my eyes, political conversations are necessary, even around here. You’ve got to understand that. Look, nowadays, everything is political. As soon as you’re out in the real world, it’ll be a kick in the guts if we just went and babied you all and that’d be irresponsible. Okay? No hard feelings? See my point? We’re good? Shake my hand. Sweet.

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What? Who are you talking about? The doctor? He’s awful. The meanest. How much do you weigh? I could bench you, wouldn’t even break a sweat. The only difference between me and you is I’m wearing this badge. I’ve got my problems, just like you, believe me. And sure, you’ve got yours. Once in a while I’ve lost my temper, I’ve been wrong, I’ve said some hurtful things. The only difference is you got to your breaking point but that doesn’t make you crazy, we all have a breaking point. Do you wanna be here another week or do you want to go home? Well then, if I was you, I’d mind my p’s and q’s. Watch your mouth. We all just have to get along. This virus is bringing out the worst in people. Not everything has to be political. We all have a right to our own opinion but you have no right to judge me for mine or shove yours down my throat. Yeah, there’s things I don’t like about him. But we need to respect that he’s still our president. How could you blame all of this on just one guy? I’ll tell you what, our economy has never been better. He speaks his mind. He says it like it is. It’s like all you people want to do is argue. Where’s the civility, man? We need order. We need authority. It’s insane, if you think we can survive without police, you’re insane. But nowadays I can walk outside and get shot just for being white. It’s the truth. That’s it. Why are you mad? What, you think I like putting my hands on people? You think I take pleasure in wrestling with an old man? I hate it. I’m just doing my job. Sometimes you have to just throw up your hands and say, well there’s nothing I can do. Let God take the wheel. We are his lambs. There’s some real shitheads that come through here. I shouldn’t curse. I like your group, though. You guys aren’t crazy like those mothertruckers. Well, then there’s Jeff. Jeff is crazy. Hey, Jeff! Hello-o! See? Nothing going on in there. You guys are completely sane. Jeff’s like talking to the brick wall. This is a good group. So you’re finally out of here, huh? Well we need to have a little chat first. You’re not in trouble, I just want to talk. I’m looking at your discharge survey. I offended you? I was joking. I thought you were smart enough to realize that. I know better now. When these people leave, politics are out there. There’s no “power dynamic” here. Why are you scared? What? Speak up. I don’t bite. Listen. That’s the reality, in my eyes, political conversations are necessary, even around here. You’ve got to understand that. Look, nowadays, everything is political. As soon as you’re out in the real world, it’ll be a kick in the guts if we just went and babied you all and that’d be irresponsible. Okay? No hard feelings? See my point? We’re good? Shake my hand. Sweet.

____


What? Who are you talking about? The doctor? He’s awful. The meanest. How much do you weigh? I could bench you, wouldn’t even break a sweat. The only difference between me and you is I’m wearing this badge. I’ve got my problems, just like you, believe me. And sure, you’ve got yours. Once in a while I’ve lost my temper, I’ve been wrong, I’ve said some hurtful things. The only difference is you got to your breaking point but that doesn’t make you crazy, we all have a breaking point. Do you wanna be here another week or do you want to go home? Well then, if I was you, I’d mind my p’s and q’s. Watch your mouth. We all just have to get along. This virus is bringing out the worst in people. Not everything has to be political. We all have a right to our own opinion but you have no right to judge me for mine or shove yours down my throat. Yeah, there’s things I don’t like about him. But we need to respect that he’s still our president. How could you blame all of this on just one guy? I’ll tell you what, our economy has never been better. He speaks his mind. He says it like it is. It’s like all you people want to do is argue. Where’s the civility, man? We need order. We need authority. It’s insane, if you think we can survive without police, you’re insane. But nowadays I can walk outside and get shot just for being white. It’s the truth. That’s it. Why are you mad? What, you think I like putting my hands on people? You think I take pleasure in wrestling with an old man? I hate it. I’m just doing my job. Sometimes you have to just throw up your hands and say, well there’s nothing I can do. Let God take the wheel. We are his lambs. There’s some real shitheads that come through here. I shouldn’t curse. I like your group, though. You guys aren’t crazy like those mothertruckers. Well, then there’s Jeff. Jeff is crazy. Hey, Jeff! Hello-o! See? Nothing going on in there. You guys are completely sane. Jeff’s like talking to the brick wall. This is a good group. So you’re finally out of here, huh? Well we need to have a little chat first. You’re not in trouble, I just want to talk. I’m looking at your discharge survey. I offended you? I was joking. I thought you were smart enough to realize that. I know better now. When these people leave, politics are out there. There’s no “power dynamic” here. Why are you scared? What? Speak up. I don’t bite. Listen. That’s the reality, in my eyes, political conversations are necessary, even around here. You’ve got to understand that. Look, nowadays, everything is political. As soon as you’re out in the real world, it’ll be a kick in the guts if we just went and babied you all and that’d be irresponsible. Okay? No hard feelings? See my point? We’re good? Shake my hand. Sweet.